Method for separating and processing signal and bearer in all IP radio access network

ABSTRACT

A method for processing a signal and a bearer separately in an ALL IP network system including one or mobile stations, one or more radio networks and one or more core network includes the steps of: transmitting a service request message from the mobile station to the radio network; at the radio network, determining whether a circuit-related service or a packet-related service is requested; if the packet-related service is requested, transmitting the service request message from the radio network to the core network without performing any process of the service request message; at the core network, performing a process of the service request message and requesting the radio network to assign the bearer for user data; and assigning the bearer in response to the assignment request.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an ALL IP radio access network; andmore particularly, to a method for separating and processing a signaland a bearer in an ALL IP radio access network.

Description of the prior Art

[0002] These days, it is under detail discussion at internationalstandardization conferences, a 3GPP and a 3GPP2 conferences, that anwhole network of a 3G system is to be configured with an ALL IP networkbased on an IP (IP =internet protocol).

[0003] The ALL IP network is researched based on a mobile IP of an IETF(IETF =international engineering task force). In the mobile IP case, atwo-tier address system is adopted for an address conversion techniqueat an IP layer. In other words, a first address is a COA (COA =care-ofaddress) that is used for a path assignment and a transferring manner. Asecond address is a home address that is a unique home address of amobile host and is used for identifying the mobile host and for sessionconnection.

[0004] A unique internet address called a home address is assigned to amobile station for the ALL IP, wherein the unique internet addresscorresponds to a host name like an existing fixed host. Also, the mobilestation for the ALL IP has an COA (care-of address) as a packet transferpoint, wherein the COA gets changed as the mobile station for the ALL IPmoves between networks. At the present time, the IETF defines threecomponents for a mobile IP service such as a mobile node, a HA (HA =homeagent) and a FA (FA =foreign agent) as follows.

[0005] The mobile node is operated as a host or router that supports amobile service. The mobile node is able to move between networks withoutmodifying an IP address thereof and also communicate continuously withother nodes of the internet by a fixed IP address thereof.

[0006] The HA (home agent) is an agent included in a home network of amobile node, wherein the home network manages a current COA (care-ofaddress) and a home address of the mobile node. The HA (home agent)performs a tunneling function in order to transfer a datagram of themobile node to a network in which the mobile node is currently includedwhen the mobile node is in an external network.

[0007] The FA (foreign agent) is an agent assigning the COA (care-ofaddress) when the mobile node is in the external network. The FA canassign an IP address of thereof as a COA or a temporary IP address ofthe mobile node. The FA provides a routing service for any mobile nodewhen the mobile node moves in a service area covered by the FA. Afterperforming a detunneling function on a datagram that wastunnel-functioned and receives from a HA of the mobile node, the FAtransfers the datagram to the mobile node. In this case, the FA providesan existing gateway service for the datagram transmitted from the mobilenode.

[0008] A standard model being processed at an ALL IP Adhoc defines anIPMM (IPMM =IP multi-media) domain and an ANSI-41 domain (ANSI =AmericanNational Standards institute) for a core network. Here, the IPMM domainis used for a packet service and the ANSI-41 domain is used for anexisting circuit service. Protocols for the IPMM domain are based on amobile IP, a SIP or the like. Protocols for the ANSI-41 domain are basedon an IS-2000, an IOS, an ANSI-41 or the like.

[0009] According to a model being currently processed, one same entityperforms processing of a signal and a bearer in a radio network as shownin FIG. 1. However, this model can be unsuitable for development into anopen type structure.

[0010] Currently, a message that a mobile station sends to request aconnection is transmitted to a MSC (MSC =mobile switching center) via aBSC (BSC =base station controller) in an IS-2000. A currently operatingBSC includes one entity for controlling a call-related signal and abearer of user data and for providing a path.

[0011] As a currently operating network evolves into an ALL IP network,it is required to control and manage a new service and new user data. Todo so, a core network is classified into the ANSI-41 domain for theexisting service and the IPMM (IP multi-media) domain. The IPMM domainprovides the new service and an internet-based service.

[0012] Accordingly, it is required to configure the BSC including asignal-related entity and a bearer-related entity to process the signaland the bearer separately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method fora method for separating and processing a signal and a bearer in an ALLIP radio access network and computer-readable record media storinginstructions for performing the method to perform a flexibleconfiguration of a radio network based on an IP.

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for processing a signal and a bearer separately in anALL IP network system including one or mobile stations, one or moreradio networks and one or more core network, the method including thesteps of: transmitting a service request message from the mobile stationto the radio network; at the radio network, determining whether acircuit-related service or a packet-related service is requested; if thepacket-related service is requested, transmitting the service requestmessage from the radio network to the core network without performingany process of the service request message; at the core network,performing a process of the service request message and requesting theradio network to assign the bearer for user data; and assigning thebearer in response to the assignment request.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an ALL IP network;

[0017]FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a radio network in which a signaland a bearer are separated in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an ALL IP network including aradio access network (RAN) shown in FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 4 shows a signaling message flow for a packet service;

[0020]FIG. 5 shows a signaling message flow for a circuit service; and

[0021]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for separating andprocessing a signal and a bearer in an ALL IP radio access network inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a radio network in which a signaland a bearer are separated.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, a RAN (RAN =radio access network) includes afirst entity for processing a signal or the like, a second entity forproviding a path related to a user data process and a base transceiverstation (BTS) that is directly coupled to a mobile station (MS).

[0024]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ALL IP networkincluding a radio access network (RAN) shown in FIG. 2.

[0025]FIG. 4 shows a signaling message flow for a packet service.

[0026]FIG. 5 shows a signaling message flow for a circuit service.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mobile station performs aSignaling suitable for the packet or the circuit services in order totransmit user data. A RNCS (RNCS =radio network control system) of a RAN(radio access network) performs a corresponding function in response toa request of the mobile station. Here, the mobile station is assumed tobe a dual mode mobile station where an existing circuit and a packetservices are possible to provide.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for separating andprocessing a signal and a bearer in an ALL IP radio access network inaccordance with the present invention.

[0029] At the step S10, a service request of a user is received in amessage form from a mobile station.

[0030] At the step S20, a RNCS (radio network control system) of a RAN(radio access network) determines whether a first message related to acircuit service or a second message related to a packet service isreceived.

[0031] There are a plurality of manners for service determination.Herein is provided a manner for the determination using an address of aTCP/IP header. In other words, since the packet service is transmittedto a session manager of a core network, the address of the TCP/IP headerhas an address of the session manager. On the contrary, since thecircuit service is transmitted to a MSC (MSC =mobile switching center)server of the core network, the address of the TCP/IP header has anaddress of the MSC server.

[0032] If the first message is received, at the step S30, the RNCS ofthe RAN transmits a CM service request message to the MSC server,wherein the CM service request message is generated in an IOS messageform.

[0033] At the step S40, the MSC receives and processes the CM servicerequest message and then transmits a CM service request Ack message tothe RNCS.

[0034] At the step S50, after receiving the CM service request Ackmessage, the RNCS transmits an assignment request message to the mobilestation in order to assign a radio channel and then transmits a bearerassignment request message to a RBF unit (RBF =radio bearer function) inorder to assign a bearer for transmitting user data.

[0035] If the second message is received, at the step S60, the RNCStransmits the second message to the session manager of the core networkwithout any message processing.

[0036] At the step S70, the session manager or a resource manager of thecore network processes the second message and then requests the RNCS toassign the bearer in order to assign a bearer for processing the userdata.

[0037] At the step S80, the RNCS transmits a response message related toservice request to the mobile station and then transmits the bearerassignment request message to the RBF unit in order to assign the bearerfor transmitting the user data.

[0038] At the step S90, after receiving the bearer assignment requestmessage from the RNCS, the RBF assigns the bearer.

[0039] In accordance with the present invention, there is an effect thata signal and a bearer are separated and processed in a RAN system of anALL IP network to thereby facilitate network configuration of an opentype structure, increase extension capability of each system and performa flexible configuration of a network based on an IP.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed for illustrative purpose, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and sprit of the invention asdisclosed in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for processing a signal and a bearerseparately in an ALL IP network system including one or mobile stations,one or more radio networks and one or more core network, the methodcomprising the steps of: a) transmitting a service request message fromthe mobile station to the radio network; b) at the radio network,determining whether a circuit-related service or a packet-relatedservice is requested; c) if the packet-related service is requested,transmitting the service request message from the radio network to thecore network without performing any process of the service requestmessage; d) at the core network, performing a process of the servicerequest message and requesting the radio network to assign the bearerfor user data; and e) assigning the bearer in response to the assignmentrequest.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the radio networkincludes a RNCS and a radio bearer function (RBF) unit, the radio bearerfunction unit performing bearer assignment.
 3. The method as recited inclaim 2, wherein the core network includes a mobile switching center(MSC) server and a session manager, the session manager managing apacket-related message.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, whereinwhether the circuit-related service or the packet-related service isrequested is determined by reading out an address of a TCP/IP headerallocated to each service request message.
 5. The method as recited inclaim 4, wherein if the address of the TCP/IP header has an address ofthe session manager, it is determined that the packet-related service isrequested.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the step e)includes the steps of: e1) transmitting a response message related tothe service request from the RNCS to the mobile station; e2) at theRNCS, requesting the radio bearer function (RBF) unit to assign thebearer; and e3) at the radio bearer function (RBF) unit, assigning thebearer.
 7. Computer-readable record media storing instructions forperforming a method for processing a signal and a bearer separately inan ALL IP network system including one or mobile stations, one or moreradio networks and one or more core network, the method comprising thesteps of: a) transmitting a service request message from the mobilestation to the radio network; b) at the radio network, determiningwhether a circuit-related service or a packet-related service isrequested; c) if the packet-related service is requested, transmittingthe service request message from the radio network to the core networkwithout performing any process of the service request message; d) at thecore network, performing a process of the service request message andrequesting the radio network to assign the bearer for user data; and e)assigning the bearer in response to the assignment request.
 8. Thecomputer-readable record media as recited in claim 7, wherein the stepe) includes the steps of: e1) transmitting a response message related tothe service request from the RNCS to the mobile station; e2) at theRNCS, requesting the radio bearer function (RBF) unit to assign thebearer; and e3) at the radio bearer function (RBF) unit, assigning thebearer.